Now, after an electoral drubbing, party leaders and rank-and-file alike are signaling a willingness to bend on all three issues. Raising tax rates is suddenly part of a GOP House plan to avert a potential fiscal crisis.

Party luminaries have started calling for a wholesale shift in the Republican approach to immigration. And some Republicans who previously championed gun rights now are opening the door to restrictions.

The change in tone among some Republicans comes seven weeks after the defeat of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who moved far to the right during the primary season and, some in the party say, lost the general election as a result.